# Rapidus semiconductor development in Japan

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/rapidus-semiconductor-development-in-japan
> Updated: 2026-10-19T22:22:00.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 5.

Rapidus, a Japanese state-backed semiconductor project, is expanding its infrastructure and technical capabilities to prepare for advanced chip manufacturing. The company has established ‘Rapidus CORE’ (Collaborative Open Rapid Ecosystem), a framework involving 17 partner companies—including Cadence Design Systems, Synopsys, and Toshiba Information Systems—to connect research, electronic design automation, and manufacturing.

To address increasing design complexity, Rapidus has launched the first phase of this initiative, the ‘Design Solution Associate’ group. This group aims to assist customers, particularly those lacking specialized internal expertise, in accelerating the transition from design to production. The partnership includes global EDA leaders, regional players like DNP, TOPPAN, and Infosys, as well as international firms such as Singapore’s Quest Global Services. Expanding its reach into Southeast Asia, four Malaysian semiconductor firms—SkyeChip, Oppstar Technology, Infinecs Systems, and GreatAsic Technology—have joined the ecosystem.

To support its goal of mass-producing 2-nanometer chips by the latter half of fiscal year 2027, the Japanese government is increasing its financial commitment. Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has announced plans to provide an additional 400 billion yen in investment between fiscal years 2027 and 2029. This would bring total government investment to 650 billion yen. Channeled through the Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA), this capital is intended to strengthen Rapidus’s equity base, helping the company secure 2 trillion yen in private loans to fund 2nm-generation production lines. This follows previous R&D support through NEDO, which has reached approximately 2.35 trillion yen.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-19: Japan to invest 400 billion yen more in Rapidus

Japan's government plans to invest an additional 400 billion yen in Rapidus between 2027 and 2029 to support the mass production of 2nm-generation semiconductors.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/japan-to-invest-400-billion-yen-more-in-rapidus

### 2026-10-07: Rapidus launches global alliance to advance 2nm chip development

Rapidus has launched the CORE global alliance with 17 partners, including Synopsys and Infosys, to accelerate the development and production of advanced 2nm semiconductor chips.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rapidus-launches-global-alliance-to-advance-2nm-chip-development

### 2026-10-06: Malaysian chip designers join Japanese foundry Rapidus ecosystem

Four Malaysian chip design firms have joined Japan's Rapidus ecosystem to support its upcoming 2-nanometre manufacturing platform, advancing Malaysia's semiconductor value chain goals.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/malaysian-chip-designers-join-japanese-foundry-rapidus-ecosystem

### 2026-10-05: Rapidus enters final stages of 2nm semiconductor mass production preparation

Japan's Rapidus is in the final stages of preparing for 2nm semiconductor mass production by 2027, supported by increased technical staffing from ASML in Japan.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rapidus-enters-final-stages-of-2nm-semiconductor-mass-production-preparation

### 2026-10-05: Rapidus launches semiconductor ecosystem with 17 partner companies

Rapidus has launched ‘Rapidus CORE,’ a global ecosystem partnering with 17 companies, including Cadence and Synopsys, to support advanced semiconductor design and mass production.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/rapidus-launches-semiconductor-ecosystem-with-17-partner-companies

---
Cite as: Rapidus semiconductor development in Japan. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/rapidus-semiconductor-development-in-japan